Robert Dean Goodman

Robert "Bob" Goodman loved numbers but reaching 94 years old didn't impress him. He much preferred compliments about his baby blue eyes. That's as far as ego went with Bob. He would not ask anything of anybody. He'd rather help others. Just ask his kids, grand kids, relatives, and friends. He preferred to work quietly, diligently and honestly. Bob was an Aerospace Engineer for his entire career. His analytical nature was in counterpoint to the emotional nature of Roberta, his wife of 69 years. He once wrote: "Your mother is much more skillful in listening to unspoken conversation than I. She listens to the words that are not spoken aloud." A man of few words, Bob would stay silent as people prattled on, then drop the stealth zinger.

Bob loved the outdoors, walking, mountain biking and working in the yard. He loved country music, especially Johnny Cash. Bob was automotive crazy since hot-rodding his father's tractor with his brother Ed. His life story is marked by the cars he drove. He and Roberta enjoyed road trips, driving to Indiana to visit relatives and taking biking trips through Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Bob always had his camera in hand.

Robert Dean Goodman was born on August 13, 1928 in Elkhart, Indiana, to Harry Goodman, a farmer and Railroad transport driver and his wife Emma (Kehr) Goodman. Bob was the ninth of twelve children in a Mennonite family. At age 16 he bluffed his age and started taking flying lessons, a lifelong passion. After graduating from high school, Bob served in the US Air Force in 1946 to 1949 in the 341st Bomb Squadron, 97th Bomber group. His stint took him to the UK for the Berlin Airlift and to pre-statehood Alaska as the Cold War started. After many hours on the B-29 Bomber, the sound of engines humming was his lullaby.

With the GI Bill, Bob earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1956. While at Purdue, he met Roberta on a blind date. They married on June 1, 1952 in Roberta's home town Union City, Indiana. While attending Purdue, Bob was hired by Hughes Aircraft as an Electronics Engineer. Son Bill was born in Madison, WI in 1955. In 1958, daughter Karen was born in Inglewood, CA. Daughters Kathleen Adare and Kristen were born in Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA in 1964 and 1966, respectively. Bob and Roberta made Camarillo their permanent home in 1971. Bob was an Aerospace Engineer at Hughes Aircraft for over 30 years, managing the Roland Missile program. Upon retirement, phase two of his life with Roberta began. In 1991, they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After 69 years together, Roberta preceded Bob in passing away on June 6, 2021. Bob will now be rejoined with Roberta, and in heaven they will still hear "how cute, Robert and Roberta!"

Bob is survived by his sister Florence Hower, his son William Goodman, daughters Karen Goodman (Norman DuFort), Kathleen Adare OConnor, Kristen Stott (John Stott), granddaughters Jhona Pistoresi, Avary Tomford and Alicia Erickson, grandsons Brandon Carlton, Alexander Stott, Nathanial Stott, and great grandchildren Paisley Tomford, Axel Tomford, Luca Pistoresi, Hannae and Alexandra Stott. He is preceded in death by wife Roberta, parents Harry and Emma Goodman, brothers Jasper Goodman, LeRoy Goodman, Ed Goodman, Harold Goodman, and sisters Mary Goodman, Claire Mathews, Erma Troyer, Ruth Locke, Imogene Creakbaum and Donnabelle Fletcher.

Services for Bob will take place on Monday February 13, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1201 Paseo Camarillo, CA 93010.

...Family in the care of Alison Balding, Funeral Arranger

VISITATION
Monday
February 13, 2023
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints Camarillo
1201 Paseo Camarillo
Camarillo, CA 93012

FUNERAL SERVICE
Monday
February 13, 2023
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints Camarillo
1201 Paseo Camarillo
Camarillo, CA 93012

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Monday
February 13, 2023
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM
Conejo Mountain Memorial Park
2052 Howard Road
Camarillo, CA 93012* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 8 2023, 6:59:25 UTC